Jarob took the feature at Bellewstown this evening, the I.N.P.B.A Mullacurry Cup Handicap Hurdle, despite proving friendless with punters.

The Andrew Lynch trained eight-year-old won his maiden hurdle over the course in July of last year and ran well to finish fourth to From Frost in the Jack Duggan at Gowran on his last start.

Having opened at 9/1 last night he proved easy to back and went off a 14/1 chance under Shane Shortall.

Settled in mid-division he was fifth with a circuit to race and was pushed along in third three out.

He soon went in pursuit of the leader Face Value who went clear with a circuit to race, and got to the front at the last before keeping on well on the run-in to score by two and a half lengths.

Face Value (7/1) had to settle for second under Andrew Lynch for Adrian McGuinness while Zigger Zagger (12's in the morning and from 7/1 to 13/2 on-course) was a further three and a quarter lengths back in third under Johnny Moore for Noel Meade. Minella Berry went off the 7/2 favourite and he finished a disappointing eighth under Barry Geraghty for John Kiely.

Chris Jones owns the winner and he was also represented by Sea Beat who wore his first colours.

Sea Beat went off a well-backed 9/2 chance (from 10's this morning) and he finished a disappointing seventh under Davy Russell.

Andrew Lynch said afterwards: "I thought the ground had gone yesterday for him when I seen the heavens open and was thinking of not running.

"He hadn't run in three months though so I thought I'd give him a run. He might go to Listowel now as long as it doesn't go too heavy.

"He could go back over fences then. He hasn't really been taking on his fences but he's a good jumper when he meets them right. He could be an Irish National horse in time."

STEWARDS REPORTS

D.E. Splaine, rider of Knockrea trained by Terence O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a respiratory noise.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Minella Berry, trained by John E. Kiely, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be Post Race Normal.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson